STU SPOAD - Only the Best!

The Sports Administration Program at St. Thomas University is unique for three reasons – history, location, and curriculum.

Established in 1973, the Sports Administration program is widely recognized as the first academic degree of its kind at the undergraduate level in the United States.  Program graduates have gone on to careers in sports and other fields.  The SPOAD family includes general managers in MLB, the NBA, and the NFL, and dozens of college Athletic Directors at all levels (including STU’s own Laura Courtley-Todd).  With an alumni base of approximately 1500 graduates, SPOAD offers students unmatched sport related relationships and networking opportunities.

Students are attracted to SPOAD for its location too.  Miami boasts famous beaches, excellent climate, a vibrant international population, and year round outdoor lifestyle opportunities … and is one of the world’s finest sports cities.  Home to franchises in all major North American professional team sports, and to multiple universities, south Florida also offers auto racing, boating, college football bowls, fishing, golf, tennis, spring training baseball, and many other professional sport and recreational endeavors.  SPOAD students have access to multiple volunteer, internship, and job opportunities within a few miles of campus.

Finally, the SPOAD curriculum, at graduate and undergraduate levels, incorporates academic and authentic learning experiences.  Students might study finance, economics, or accounting one week and visit Marlins Park, Hard Rock Stadium, or American Airlines Arena the next.  All SPOAD students have the opportunity to complete internship placements.  Our three full-time Sports Administration faculty have over 60 years of combined college teaching experience and more than 20 years of administrative leadership.  Professionals active in sport administration supplement instruction as adjuncts and guest speakers.